You can use the below links to explore many recent productions at Berkeley Rep. Have fun!
2021 season
Behind the scenes: Place/Settings: Berkeley “The Black Mass Sonata”
Writer Daniel Handler talks about The Musical Offering Café, the location of his new story “The Black Mass Sonata,” now available as part of Berkeley Rep’s new podcast series, Place/Settings: Berkeley. (Feb 2021)
Behind the scenes: Place/Settings: Berkeley “For the Record”
Writer Sean San José shares his thoughts about what makes Berkeley Berkeley and his story “For the Record,” now available as part of Berkeley Rep’s new podcast series, Place/Settings: Berkeley. (Feb 2021)
Behind the scenes: Place/Settings: Berkeley “The Fundamental Kiss, With Overtones”
Writer Eisa Davis shares her thoughts on her story “The Fundamental Kiss, With Overtones,” now available as part of Berkeley Rep’s new podcast series, Place/Settings: Berkeley. (Jan 2021)
Behind the scenes: Place/Settings: Berkeley “The Slide”
Writer Itamar Moses shares more of his thoughts on his story “The Slide,” now available as part of Berkeley Rep’s new podcast series, Place/Settings: Berkeley. (Jan 2021)
Behind the scenes: Place/Settings: Berkeley “The Slide”
Writer Itamar Moses tells us the inspiration behind his story “The Slide,” now available as part of Berkeley Rep’s new podcast series, Place/Settings: Berkeley. (Jan 2021)
Introducing Place/Settings: Berkeley
Ten writers, inspired by events in their own personal histories, take us on an aural adventure to specific locations around Berkeley. (Dec 2020)
Live post-show talkback
A live Q&A session with the creative team took place following the broadcast of It Can’t Happen Here on October 13, 2020. (Oct 2020)
Your questions answered
Johanna Pfaelzer and Susie Medak answer audiences most frequently asked questions about our 2021 season in this edited version of a Facebook Live in September 2020. (Oct 2020)
2019–20 season
Johanna Pfaelzer on our 2021 season
“It’s our promise to be there for each other.” As Berkeley Rep announces our 2021 season, Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer reflects on the themes of the shows and invites audiences to invest in your future and the future of Berkeley Rep. (May 2020)
A special message from Managing Director Susie Medak
We miss you! Susie Medak, our managing director, shares some of the Rep @ Home projects we’ve launched, provides some insight into our 2020–21 season, hints at when we may open our doors again, and invites you to write to her at smedak-at-berkeleyrep.org. (May 2020)
A special message from John Gallagher, Jr.
The Swept Away star shares news of the world premiere musical’s postponement to our 2020–21 season, and how he can’t wait to get back to Berkeley Rep. (May 2020)
Behind the scenes: Talkback with Awoye Timpo
Enjoy a virtual talkback with Awoye Timpo, the director of Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play and Nailah Harper-Malveaux, Berkeley Rep’s directing fellow and the show’s assistant director. (Apr 2020)
Behind the scenes: School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
Playwright Jocelyn Bioh, director Awoye Timpo, and some of the actors share their thoughts about the play, along with a behind the scenes look at rehearsals and the production. (Mar 2020)
A message from Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer
Johanna Pfaelzer shares ways in which Berkeley Rep will be connecting with our community until we can all gather together in real life again. (Mar 2020)
Official trailer: Culture Clash (Still) in America
Critics call it a “comedy master class.” Here’s your sneak peek at Culture Clash’s latest show. (Mar 2020)
Culture Clash: A homecoming
Richard Montoya, Ricardo Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza talk about their new show Culture Clash (Still) in America and show us around the Mission District where they got their start 35 years ago. (Feb 2020)
Official trailer: Gatz
Get a peek at Gatz in this official trailer by Elevator Repair Service. (Jan 2020)
Behind the scenes: “A Knight Needs Nothing”
PigPen Theatre Co. and cast member Dorcas Leung headed into a recording studio to perform Despereaux’s signature song “A Knight Needs Nothing” from The Tale of Despereaux. (Dec 2019)
Official trailer: Becky Nurse of Salem
Get a sneak peek at Sarah Ruhl’s new dark comedy about the legacy of the Salem witch trails, directed by Anne Kauffman and starring Pamela Reed. (Dec 2019)
“We loved every second of it”
Audiences of all ages adore PigPen Theatre Co.’s The Tale of Despereaux! (Dec 2019)
Official trailer: PigPen Theatre Co.’s The Tale of Despereaux
Get a sneak peek at PigPen Theatre Co.’s critically acclaimed new musical that’s “exactly the show we need this holiday season.” (Dec 2019)
Behind the scenes: “With a Needle and Thread”
PigPen Theatre Co. and cast members Yasmeen Sulieman and Betsy Morgan headed into a recording studio to perform the show-stopping number “With a Needle and Thread” from The Tale of Despereaux. (Dec 2019)
Behind the scenes: Meet PigPen Theatre Co.
PigPen Theatre Co. shares their origins, aesthetic, and a peek at rehearsals for The Tale of Despereaux. (Nov 2019)
Behind the scenes: The Tale of Despereaux meet and greet
Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer reveals what she loves about sharing PigPen Theatre Co.’s adaptation of the beloved award-winning book. (Nov 2019)
Behind the scenes: The Tale of Despereaux meet and greet
Co-director Marc Bruni talks about why he loves PigPen Theatre Co.’s adaptation of the beloved award-winning book. (Nov 2019)
Behind the scenes: The Tale of Despereaux meet and greet
Arya Shahi talks about the genesis of PigPen Theatre Co. and the inspiration for their latest show. (Oct 2019)
Official trailer: White Noise
Get a sneak peek at the West Coast premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks’ play that examines nuances of white privilege and racism in America today. Directed by Jaki Bradley and featuring Therese Barbato, Nick Dillenburg, Chris Herbie Holland, and Aimé Donna Kelly. (Oct 2019)
Behind the scenes: White Noise
The cast and director Jaki Bradley share their thoughts on Suzan-Lori Parks’ new play. (Oct 2019)
Official trailer: The Great Wave
Take a look at the American premiere of Francis Turnly’s play, The Great Wave, directed by Mark Wing-Davey. (Sep 2019)
Behind the scenes: Francis Turnly and Mark Wing-Davey
Playwright Francis Turnly and director Mark Wing-Davey introduce us to the American premiere of The Great Wave. (Sep 2019)
2018–19 season
Behind the scenes: Benjamin Velez and David Kamp
Composer and lyricist Benjamin Velez and lyricist David Kamp discuss how they use current and traditional styles of music to connect Spanish and Aztec history with the modern world. (Jun 2019)
The Second City is coming back to Berkeley Rep!
Get ready for this comedy troupe’s highly anticipated return with a special message from cast members Andy Bolduc and Rob Wilson. (Jun 2019)
Official trailer: Kiss My Aztec!
Get a glimpse at this new musical comedy with book by John Leguizamo and Tony Taccone! (Jun 2019)
Behind the scenes: Maija García
Kiss My Aztec! choreographer Maija García talks abut how the show reflects the cultural identity of the Latinx community by fusing salsa, hip hop, and many more dance and music styles. (May 2019)
Behind the scenes: John Leguizamo and Tony Taccone
Get an introduction to Kiss My Aztec! with creators John Leguizamo and Tony Taccone. (May 2019)
Official trailer: The Good Book
Get a peek at Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson’s new play, The Good Book, in our official trailer. (May 2019)
Behind the scenes: Annette O’Toole and Keith Nobbs
Actors Annette O’Toole and Keith Nobbs discuss their characters’ journey in Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson’s new play, The Good Book. (May 2019)
Behind the scenes: Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson
The creators of The Good Book dive deeper into the play and share some scenes from rehearsals. (Apr 2019)
Official trailer: HOME
Get a glimpse of Geoff Sobelle’s enchanting visual spectacle, HOME. (Apr 2019)
Behind the scenes: HOME preview
Take a virtual tour of Geoff Sobelle’s enchanting visual spectacle, HOME. (Mar 2019)
Behind the scenes: Paradise Square
Dancers Karen Burthwright, Garrett Coleman, and Jason Oremus give us a taste of the African American and Irish American dance styles in this hit musical. (Feb 2019)
Official trailer: Metamorphoses
See why audiences and critics alike are mesmerized by Mary Zimmerman’s award-winning adaptation of Ovid’s myths. (Feb 2019)
Behind the scenes: Mary Zimmerman
Adaptor and director Mary Zimmerman discusses the power of myths in her Tony Award-winning show, Metamorphoses. (Jan 2019)
Official trailer: Paradise Square: A New Musical
See why audiences and critics are stomping their feet and clapping their hands to the incredible dance and music of Paradise Square! (Jan 2019)
Behind the scenes: Paradise Square rehearsals
Get a sneak peek at Paradise Square: A New Musical and hear from book writer Marcus Gardley, director Moisés Kaufman, and choreographer Bill T. Jones. (Dec 2018)
Behind the scenes: Photo shoot
Here’s a peek at the Paradise Square cast photo shoot with photographer Cheshire Isaacs. (Dec 2018)
Behind the scenes: Paradise Square meet and greet
On the first day of rehearsals, director Moisés Kaufman and choreographer Bill T. Jones introduce Berkeley Rep’s biggest musical to date. (Dec 2018)
Official trailer: Pike St.
Get a glimpse at Pike St. and see why the press calls Nilaja Sun a virtuoso performer. (Nov 2018)
Official trailer: Fairview
Get a look at Jackie Sibblies Drury’s new play and see why critics are calling the show “enlightening and provocatively fun.” (Oct 2018)
Behind the scenes: Jackie Sibblies Drury and Sarah Benson
The playwright and director of Fairview reveal their thoughts on this unpredictable and critically acclaimed play. (Oct 2018)
“There’s something in this show for everyone”
From millennials to Gen-Xers, audiences adore A Doll’s House, Part 2. (Oct 2018)
Official trailer: A Doll’s House, Part 2
See why the press is calling Lucas Hnath’s play at Berkeley Rep “furiously smart and surprising.” (Sep 2018)
Behind the scenes: A conversation with Les Waters
Director Les Waters shares his thoughts on Lucas Hnath’s A Doll’s House, Part 2. (Sep 2018)
Meet Berkeley Rep’s next artistic director!
Johanna Pfaelzer, who will join Berkeley Rep in September 2019, has a special message for the community. (Sep 2018)
Behind the scenes: Costume design
Get a glimpse of the costumes for A Doll’s House, Part 2 and hear from designer Annie Smart. (Sep 2018)
Berkeley Rep: Be a Rep!
Discover the myriad ways to Be a Rep at Berkeley Rep. (Aug 2018)
Behind the scenes: A Doll’s House, Part 2 meet and greet
Meet the actors and hear from the director of Lucas Hnath’s hit comedy. (Aug 2018)
Introducing the 2018–19 season
Discover the seven extraordinary shows! (Aug 2018)